Bhutan – the “hotbed of ecological diversity”.

Environmentally, Bhutan is considered as one of the 10 hotspots in the world and as one of the 221 global endemic bird areas.”

Bhutan has 72% of its area under forest cover. Bhutan is one of the few developing countries where much of the natural resources base is still remain intact. One of the reasons is that people of Bhutan love their natural environment and have been living in harmony with its elements respecting the sanctity of life and revering the mountains, forests and rivers as abodes of gods and spirits. The magnificent mountains and lush valleys of Bhutan harbor some of the most exotic species of the eastern Himalayas. An estimated 770 species of birds and about 55 species of rhododendron, along with an astounding variety of medicinal plants (over 300 species) and orchids are endemic to this region. The abundance of wild flowers, birds and many more plants are yet to be named, so there are many exciting opportunities to discover more about flora and fauna of this fascinating Himalayan Kingdom. Bhutan has an impressive diversity of plants and animals because of its unique geographical location in the eastern Himalayas with its extensive altitudinal variation, from 150 meters in the south to over 7,000 meters in the north, which is accompanied by dramatic climatic changes. This variations makes home for different animals and plants, for example in the southern part of Bhutan we have Asiatic elephants, Greater one-horned rhinos, Gaur, wild water buffalo, Hog Dear, Tiger, Clouded leopard, Hornbill, and other mammals and various species of birds. In the north we have Blue sheep, Takin, Musk deer, Snow Leopard, wolf and more adoptable species whose range extends to both tropical and temperate zones live between this two extremes like, barking deer, Himalayan black bear, Leopard, wild dog, wild boar etc. etc.

Nine national parks and wild life sanctuaries are home to some of the rare and most significant animals in the world. This has become possible as a result of the combined efforts of the government and the people to keep the country’s flora and fauna undisturbed.

Note: For interested travelers to experience Flora and Fauna in Bhutan can contact me at travel2adventurebhutan@gmail.com and traveltobhutan@yahoo.com

Best Season to visit Bhutan

Bhutan has four seasons in a year;

Winter:  from December until February,

Spring: from March to May,

Summer:  from June to August and

Autumn:  from September until November.

Though it is possible to visit Bhutan throughout the year, the best seasons to visit Bhutan are in spring and autumn. During these months of the year, Bhutan has not only favorable and pleasant climatic conditions but also has lot of on-going festivals and events within the country.


Spring and autumn are also the peak season amongst the tourist and unless the tour reservation is made 2 months before the departure date to Bhutan, it is usually very difficult to visit Bhutan within short notice of your reservations. This is because of limited seat capacity in Druk-Air, the only airline that flies in and out of Bhutan and constraint of accommodation facilities and other infrastructures within the country.

Bhutan Temperature Highlight

Average Temperatures in Celsius Degree (High/Low)

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

Paro

9.4/ -5.8

13.4/ 1.5

14.5/ 0.6

17.6/ 4.6

23.5/ 10.6

25.4/ 13.1

26.8/ 14.9

25.3/ 14.7

23.4/ 11.7

18.7/ 7.4

13.9/ 1.4

11.2/ -1.7

Thimphu

12.3/ -2.6

14.4/ 0.6

16.4/ 3.9

20.0/ 7.1

22.5/ 13.1

24.4/ 15.2

18.9/ 13.4

25.0/ 15.8

23.1/ 15.0

21.9/ 10.4

17.9/ 5.0

14.5/ -1.1

Punakha

16.1/ 4.2

19.6/ 5.3

21.2/ 9.2

24.4/ 11.9

27.2/ 14.8

31.2/ 19.5

32.0/ 21.6

31.4/ 19.8

29.9/ 20.0

27.8/ 18.9

22.3/ 13.0

15.0/ 7.9

Wangdue

17.0/ 4.3

19.0/ 7.8

22.8/ 10.4

26.2/ 12.9

29.1/ 17.7

29.2/ 20.1

18.4/ 16.2

29.1/ 20.0

27.5/ 19.1

26.1/ 14.7

22.6/ 9.6

19.1/ 6.3

Trongsa

13.0/ -0.2

13.9/ 0.4

16.7/ 4.4

20.1/ 6.6

21.0/ 11.6

22.2/ 13.6

25.3/ 15.3

23.8/ 15.0

22.6/ 14.2

21.8/ 11.7

19.8/ 6.4

18.2/ 2.5

Bumthang

10.8/ -5.1

10.0/ -1.4

16.2/ 3.5

18.7/ 3.9

21.3/ 9.5

22.5/ 13.5

14.1/ 10.9

23.0/ 13.7

21.6/ 12.1

19.5/ 5.9

16.1/ -0.5

12.3/ -2.3

Mongar

15.5/ 8.2

15.9/ 8.3

20.0/ 11.6

22.8/ 14.0

25.1/ 17.4

26.1/ 19.5

16.1/ 15.8

25.4/ 19.6

24.7/ 19.4

22.7/ 15.8

19.9/ 11.2

15.7/ 9.5

Trashigang

20.4/ 10.5

21.7/ 11.5

24.8/ 14.4

28.3/ 17.0

30.0/ 20.6

30.7/ 22.6

31.5/ 23.1

30.2/ 22.7

30.0/ 23.9

29.1/ 17.7

26.1/ 13.6

23.0/ 11.6

TRAVEL COST and its PROCESS

Daily Tourist Tariff

The minimum tariff for tourists visiting in a group of 3 persons or more are as follows:
High Season tariff : US$ 200 per person per night halt( March, April, May, September, October & November )
Low Season tariff : US$165 per person per night( December, January, February, June, July, August & December )
The minimum daily package rates are inclusive of the following services:
1. 35 % Royalty
2. Charges for accommodation
3. services of accompanied guide
4. all meals
5. Transport within Bhutan
6. riding ponies and pack animals on treks
Tariffs for Individuals And Small Groups ( FITs )

Individual tourists and smaller groups of less than three persons shall be subject to surcharges over and above the minimum daily rates applicable, as follows
Single Individual : US$ 40/ per night haltGroup of 02 : US$ 30/ per person per night halt
These FIT surcharge are net payable (non commissionable)
All tourists are required to pay US$ 10 per visit as Tourism development contribution.
Agency Commission
As per international norm, 10% of the gross tour payment shall be payable to the principal agents abroad as commission and shall be deducted by these agents at source.
Royalty and other levies

- Royalty of US$ 65/- per tourist per night halt shall be payable during the high season months.
- Royalty of US$ 63/- per tourist per night halt shall be payable during the off season months.
- A sum of US$ 10 per tourist visit shall be payable towards the Tourism Development Fund.
- 2 % holding tax payable to TAB.

Discount on tourist tariff

The following discounts shall be allowed :
1. Diplomats from foreign embassies/missions accredited to Bhutan shall be given a 25% discount on the
daily rates.
2. There shall be no charge for CHILDREN up to the age of 5 years. However, those between the age of 6 to 12 years accompanied by elders/guardians shall be given a 40% discount on daily rates.
3. Full time Students below the age of 25 years holding valid identity cards from their academic institutions shall also be given a 25% discount on daily rates.
4. A discount of 50% on daily rates shall be given to one person in a group of 11 to 15 persons. A 100% discount shall be given to one member in a group exceeding 16 persons.
5. A discount of 10% on the daily rates shall be provided for halts between 11 to 20 nights and 20% discount on halts beyond 21 nights.

Cancellation
Tour Programs booked and subsequently cancelled shall be subject cancellation charges as follows: -
a. Within 30 days of the start of the tour programme : Free
b. Within 21 days '' : 10% of the rate
c. Within 14 days '' : 15% of the rate
d. Within 7 days '' : 30% of the rate
e. Less than 7 days or cancellation without notice : 50% of the rate
f. After arrival in Bhutan : 100%
Delayed Arrival / Departure
a.There shall be no charge for the number of days of delay in arrival of visitors due to weather conditions, Druk Air problems or road blocks except for minimum charge on hotel cancellation, transport & guide.
b. There shall be no charge for the number of days of delay in departure of visitor due to weather conditions, Druk Air problems or road blocks. They will be charged only the actual expenses on accommodation, food, transport and any other services required.

Remittance Of Tour Payment

Tour payment must be settled one month prior to date of arrival in Bhutan and VISA is cleared by the government subject to advance payment only

Festivals in Bhutan

 

In Bhutan, in addition to the standard Buddhist festivals, there are yearly festivals celebrated with great fanfare in each district. The most renowned of these are the Tsechu (10th day) festivals, commemorating the deeds of Padmasambhava. Locally referred to as 'Guru Rimpoche' or, simply as 'Guru,' this eighth century master, introduced the Nyingma school of Buddhism into Tibet and Bhutan. Each 10th day of the lunar calendar is said to commemorate a special event in the life of Padmasambhava; and some of these are dramatized in the context of a religious festival. Most festival lasts from three to five days - one of which, usually, falls on the 10th day of the lunar calendar.

Of these festivals the Paro Tsechu, in the spring, and the Wangue and Thimpu Tsechus, in the fall, are the most impressive. These festivals are very popular with western tourists. The festivals in Bumthang and East Bhutan attract fewer tourists and those who want to get a more authentic flavor of Bhutan's cultural and religious extravaganza will be well rewarded.

Paro Tsechu

All religious and lay people of Paro and neighborhood areas, dressed and adorned in their finest attend the festivals, with a belief that they will get their sins washed away and will accumulate merits. This is also an occasion of social gatherings. There will be a series of mask dance performances mainly by monks with some folk singing and dancing as well.

Thimphu Tsechu

The Thimphu Tsechu (religious festival) is one of the biggest and most spectacular of the Buddhist festivals faithfully celebrated in Bhutan, Himalayan Kingdom of the Thunder Dragon. Both monks and lay people perform in the dances and dramas as an act of meditation, seeking to personify the deity that they portray. Masked and dressed in elaborate costumes of silk brocade, dancers demonstrate the triumph of good over evil and the power of compassion to the haunting sounds of trumpets, cymbals and flutes. Today this beautiful and sacred festival remains a wonderful manifestation of a religious faith that is still a crucial part of Bhutanese daily life.

Jambay Lhakang Bumthang Drub

This festival held in the picturesque valley of Bumthang gained its popularity from the visits of tourist in the recent years. In addition to the mask dances, Jambay Lhakhang Temple built in the year 659 host the "Mewang" (Fire blessing) and "Tercham" (Dance of Treasure). It is believed that the Tercham can bless the infertile women with children, and is only performed during the night.

Trekking in Bhutan

A trek in Bhutan can last anything from 4 days to 30days and ranges from the  reasonable to the strenuous!  In 2004, National Geographic Magazine rated Bhutan as the 10th most adventurous destination in the world. This is partly because of the untouched beauty of the mountains and forests  and partly because of the  uniqueness of the lifestyles of the people encountered in  the higher altitudes.

The  views of the Himalayan  mountain ranges and peaks are truly awe- inspiring. The slopes are covered with thick forests and, depending upon the season, beautiful flowers of every hue.  Every new   day brings a  change of   scenery. Travelers go in  search of a sighting of the exotic Snow Leopard and the  legendary Blue Poppy, which  is the national flower of Bhutan. The valleys of the  mountain are dotted with turquoise blue lakes filled with golden trout.
Most of the trekking routes follow the high mountains that divide Tibet and Bhutan and here there are ten mountains measuring over 6000 meters. Before the arrival of the Chinese in Tibet, the Bhutanese used to trade mainly with Tibetans and one can still see, today, some old ruined buildings that used to house the government officials at the border.

Only by trekking does the traveler get to see the settlements of the nomads who live as high as 5000 meters. The nomads depend totally on yaks, a long-haired animal similar to a Buffalo. They make tents and clothes from yak hair, and yak meat, cheese and butter are their main food. They barter these products with the people from the lower valleys, where crops are grown. Bartering is usually held in the autumn before the winter sets in, since the paths towards the high altitude areas, where humans are settled, get cut off by heavy snowfall. Nomads in Bhutan have a distinct culture, language and dress. Amongst the nomads, polygamy and polyandry are still common because of the circumstances they face on the remote mountains.

The Jumolhari trek is well known and the Lonely Planet guidebook rates the base camp as the best camping site in the world but there are plenty of other treks to choose from. Trekking in Bhutan is actually a luxury experience rather than a hardship since the services are superb – experienced guides, cooks and waiters; mules to carry your bags, tents set up and waiting for your arrival each day, a dining tent with chairs tables and lamps, hot tea and a bowl of hot water for washing brought to your tent as a wake-up call every morning - to mention just a few of the comforts and facilities offered. Trekking is the only way to get a close-up view of the Bhutanese countryside and its inhabitants. And, rest assured, the trekking experience in Bhutan is still unique. Even in 2005, a total of only 600 people went trekking.